Big Bucks and Shirtless Hunks! It Must Be the Annual Red-Hot Gala for Firefighters!

Big Bucks and Shirtless Hunks! It Must Be the Annual Red-Hot Gala for Firefighters!

Mr. December, Kyle Collins

IN ITS FOURTH year, the "Red-Hot" gala — as noted for its stylish crowd of VIPs and emotional program honoring the city's heroes as for its shirtless hunky firemen steaming up the stage as part of the entertainment — took in a record-breaking $540,000, bringing the four-year total to just under $2 million for much needed equipment, training and support for firefighters in Houston.


Elizabeth and Alan Stein, founders of the gala, served as chairs. They joined honorary chairs Joanna and Brad Marks in welcoming more than 400 guests to the Royal Sonesta, where the evening's program began with a rousing National Anthem by firefighter Joe Rice and also included bagpipe serenades and a moving homage to firefighters who fell in the line of duty this year.

Special recognition was given to some of Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Charitable's biggest supporters, including Bobbie Nau, Hallie Vanderhider, Susan and Fayez Sarofim and Janice McNair. Auction items included IW Marks' pink sapphire and diamond earrings, which brought in $10,500.

Other highlights included the hotties of the 2022 Houston Firefighter Calendar, who flexed bare biceps and showed off sexy six-packs to promote the fundraiser, which supports the Burned Children's Fund. Guest were thrilled to mingle with the hunks after dinner, when The Guzzlers band took the stage for the late-night crowd.

Spotted in the crowd: David Greenburg, Bill King, Gary Petersen, Patti and Don Murphy and Neiman Marcus' Chris Hendel.

Patti and Don Murphy

Elizabeth Stein and Hallie Vanderhider

Tori and Ed DeCora

Laura Stein, Ashley Plaeger, Price DuDose

Joanna and Brad Marks

Karyn & Tim Kelly, with Lux Kelly

Louis Tronzo, Jenna Lindley & Fady Armanious

Parties
Fall Philanthropy Report: Easter Seals of Greater Houston ‘Impacts Where People Need Us the Most’

What year was your organization launched? Founded in Houston in 1947, as the Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center, the organization provided services to individuals with disabilities living in Houston and Harris County. In 1989, the organization changed its name and greatly expanded its services to meet the needs of its clientele. Today as Easter Seals Greater Houston, the organization provides multiple outstanding service programs to children, adults, veterans, and service members with all types of disabilities and their families in Harris and sixteen surrounding counties.

Keep Reading Show less

You’ve eaten at Nancy’s Hustle, Tiny Champions, Better Luck Tomorrow, Milton’s and Lee’s Den. Now, you can explore the private warehouse of the design firm that created those spaces!

Keep Reading Show less

UPON ARRIVAL AT Maroma resort on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, a beautifully dressed attendant, briefcase and tablet in hand, ushers guests to their respective rooms. “Here’s your welcome amenity,” she says, gesturing to ceramic vessels on the coffee table with one hand as she completes the check-in process with the other. “It is tequila.”

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places